Stop thinking, and end your problems.
- Lao Tzu
No thank you. Ignorance may be bliss for some (at least for a while). As for me, I am determined to love the Lord with all my mind. Sometimes I have to wonder how some people imbibe these trash Eastern philosophies!
I can sort of understand how some might buy into this, actually. I know some people who over analyze things, resulting in worry. The answer, however, is not to stop thinking, but to cast all your cares on the Lord, because He cares for you.
The Word of God says,
Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
- Ecclesiastes 7:19, ESV
Wisdom is power. We need to be like the sons of Issachar, who knew the times and what the people of God should do. When we honor God with our minds, and do not neglect prayer and holy living, God uses us to shape society.
Look at the life of Daniel. He was put in high places of authority as a counselor of heathen kings because of his wisdom. The Bible says of Daniel that God gave [him] learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams (Daniel 1:17). Daniel was a prophetic voice, speaking wisdom to the world. Through wise men like Daniel, God rules over the unbelieving earthly authorities.
The work of the Lord gets done through godly
thinking. We need to train our minds as a holy discipline. Our minds need to be strong--like the ox.
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
-Proverbs 14:4
In other words, although anti-intellectualism might make one's mind peaceful and placid, only a powerful mind will reap a great harvest of real world results. When we reject thinking, we reject a powerful means to positively transform the world around us.
My rant for the day.
I actually like this quote from Lao Tzu, "Stop thinking, and end your problems". I have always looked at it in one of two ways (depending on the day I'm having)...
ReplyDeleteFirst is as you suggested - overthinking can cause worry and problems.
Second, however, which can be tied in with the first - BELIEVE and end your problems. Forget Lao Tzu's beliefs or background and think about the actual statement for a moment... "Stop thinking and end your problems." Stop questioning God. Stop questioning religion. While I always do question God and religion, this does cause doubt and worry and problems. Tao wasn't suggesting anti-intellectualism. Tao wasn't suggesting we reject thinking. While maybe the old Chinese philosophers weren't Christian, this doesn't negate their wisdom.